Over 25 million face severe food insecurity amid conflict and displacement.
KINSHASA, The Democratic Republic of Congo (BG) – Over 25.6 million people in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remain in crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity, according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report.
Armed violence, ongoing conflict, and rising food prices have left displaced populations and returnees particularly vulnerable in the Central African country.
Despite its fertile lands and abundant water resources, the DRC struggles to achieve food self-sufficiency. Contributing factors include escalating conflict in the eastern provinces, the impacts of climate change, epidemics, and underinvestment in rural development.
Eastern provinces like Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu have seen worsening conditions, with 6.2 million people facing crisis or emergency hunger levels, up from 5.4 million earlier this year. Tanganyika province has become the most food-insecure region due to severe flooding.
“The IPC figures speak for themselves,” said Aristide Ongone Obame, FAO Representative in DRC. “We must strengthen household resilience through targeted interventions in agriculture, fisheries, and livestock.”
The conflict in eastern DRC has displaced over 6.5 million people and disrupted agricultural production. Peter Musoko, WFP Country Director, warned, “Inaction is unthinkable. We must increase resources to address this neglected crisis.”
WFP reached 1.95 million people in October but faces a funding gap of $350 million over the next six months. FAO requires $233.9 million for its 2024 operations, having assisted 3 million people out of the 3.6 million targeted. Additional funding is urgently needed to bridge the gap and support vulnerable populations.
